#AWPOWERFIFTY: Nomfundo Njibe
What motivated you to become an entrepreneur OR take your career in the direction you did? Is having your own business OR this role you are in something you always wanted?
I worked as a Training and skills development officer for a gaming company in Durban, while studying for my B.com Degree. After graduation, I wanted a change in career direction and I felt like I had reached my growth potential within the company and resigned to start a business. Launching a beauty brand is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. However, the largest barrier has been growing a new business with a tiny budget in an overly saturated marketplace.
I’ve always imagined myself as a business mogul and I knew that when the time came, it would happen authentically. A short trip abroad in 2017 inspired the birth of Chick Cosmetics. I unfortunately lost my bag with all my beauty essentials, so while I was out shopping for new beauty products in one of the world’s biggest beauty retailers, I was intrigued by the selection of affordable products from indie brands. I immediately knew that this was the industry I wanted to excel in.
Which woman has positively impacted you in your career/business? And what is the one lesson she taught you?
My mom, because she has been everything to me. She supported me at every important decision in my life. I look up to women such as Connie Ferguson, who has found success despite all the preconceived notions about her. She is an example of someone who’s stayed true to herself.
Internationally, a lot of women have set the bar and I’m inspired by all of them, I love Oprah, Pat McGrath, I love Anastasia Soare and I love what Emily Weiss has built at Glossier
How do you define success?
Being very misrepresented, I’ve always had a lot of conviction and I really work hard, you need to believe in yourself. I don’t have a traditional beauty background nor business school.
What keeps me going is knowing we’ve built something in a cutthroat space where there are a lot of gatekeepers. It’s unexplainable when you know customers love what you created that was a little idea, it works for them and just people advocating for your product by themselves. It’s like our very own cult.
One insight for anyone interested in the industry you are working in?
My advice would be to always be your own biggest fan. If you don’t truly love your own product or believe in your own brand, people will know. Listen to advice but rely on yourself the most. Don’t start a business just to make money, because you probably won’t for a very long time. The devil is in the details and only those personal touches can truly be added in by creating something yourself. Authenticity is key so if it doesn’t feel right, don’t do it.
What is your one key guiding principle in your work life?
By sticking to our core values and remaining true to why I started this brand.
We always want to make sure that our customers’ needs are met and that our beauty products remain authentic, desirable and that of high quality. Our products are inspired by our country, communities and things we see around us. Our motto is beauty for all.
What do you believe is the most impactful and immediate action your industry can take to Accelerate Gender Equality Through Economic Empowerment. (this is the theme for INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY in 2024)
The fundamental purpose of obtaining complete gender equality for women in the world has still not been accomplished. A gender pay gap persists across the globe. Women are still not present in equal numbers in business or politics. Figures show that globally, women’s education, well-being and violence towards women is still more severe than that of men. South Africa is highly ranked in violence against women; crime against a woman is committed every three minutes. I think a day is still not enough to appreciate what women go through just to stay alive. I particularly hope that this Women’s Day will be the start of greater shared understanding and action on behalf of all women.
The three books that changed your life
The 5am Club by Robin Sharma
The Messy Middle by Scott Belsky
Shoe Dog by Phil Knight
Apps you cannot live without
Shopify lol
Tiktok
Twitter
Instagram
Self care rituals that keep you grounded
Being diagnosed with an auto immune disease and having to take a step back from the business while dealing with this condition, I walk and exercise a lot more.
Self-care has taught me the importance to take good care of your body, mind, and should every day. As a busy woman, learning how to find balance by eating right, exercising regularly and still making time for myself can be challenging. I’m glad to have had that wakeup call that made me stop neglecting my mental health in pursuit of success.